NBA.

Butler takes a beating in his return to Miami

The Thunder and Cavs regained their respective leads in their conferences on a night when two Knicks players recorded triple-doubles in the same game for the first time.

Butler drives to the basket in his return to Miami.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images/Sipa USA / Cordon Press

Published by

Víctor Mendoza

March 26, 2025

3 minutes read

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In his first return to Miami, Jimmy Butler and his Golden State Warriors were soundly defeated 112-86 by the Heat. Once again, the leaders of both conferences proved who rules the NBA this season, with the Thunder defeating the Kings 121-105 and the Cavs beating the Blazers 122-111.

Butler, who left the Heat in February after six years leading the franchise, had a subdued performance in front of his former fans, posting just 11 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes on the court. "It's happened to me in a lot of places and I imagine it will happen to me here now, too. I'm used to it," Butler told AFP, referring to the boos he received from the Florida crowd. "This is a huge place for my career. I keep saying I'm very grateful and I don't hold grudges against anybody."

The San Francisco team couldn't overcome the loss of its leader, Stephen Curry, to a pelvis injury but has still posted an impressive record since Butler's arrival, with 16 wins and four losses. This keeps them in a direct playoff spot with a 41-31 record.

The Heat, fueled by extra motivation in the presence of their former leader, were led by center Bam Adebayo (27 points and eight rebounds), Butler's great partner in the two Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. "The main thing about Jimmy's return is that the Heat were ready," Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged. "I think it washow hard they played and how well they competed. They took it to us."

First triple double by two Knicks players in the same game

For the first time in franchise history, two New York Knicks players finished with a triple double in Tuesday's 128-113 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

The devastating duo of forward Josh Hart (16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists) and Dominican-American center Karl-Anthony Towns (16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists) powered the Knicks, who were also well supported by Britain's OG Anunoby (35 points).

Naji Marshall scored 38 points in a losing effort for the Mavericks, who face a challenging end to the season with the surprising trade of their leader, Luka Doncic, and a wave of injuries, including to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.

Leaders show their dominance

The close of the day saw wins for the leaders of both conferences. The Oklahoma City Thunder, leaders of the West, defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-105, reaching 60 wins in their 72 games played this season. All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Thunder, who head into the playoffs on a strong run with 14 wins in their last 15 games.

The Cavaliers, first in the East (58-14), had to work a little harder to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 122-111. Point guard Darius Garland, with 27 points, led the Cavs down the stretch in the absence of Donovan Mitchell, who was given the night off.